Michael Avenatti, the media-savvy attorney for porn star Stormy Daniels who claims to have had an affair with President Donald Trump, announced on Tuesday that he would not run for president in 2020.

"I do not make this decision lightly — I make it out of respect for my family,” Avenatti said in a statement. “But for their concerns, I would run."

Avenatti formed a political action committee and visited key primary states as he explored a presidential bid. He even started taking on some key staff in anticipation for a possible run.

Avenatti, who emerged as a sharp-tongued foil for Trump earlier this year, took the world by storm, appearing on cable news almost daily. His rise was met with a series of speed bumps over the last few months, which hurt his chances of a successful campaign.

Avenatti was arrested on a domestic violence charge last month. The victim wrote in a request for a restraining order against Avenatti that the attorney dragged her by the arm across the floor of his Los Angeles apartment and called her a variety of foul names during an argument.

Felony charges were not filed in the case but officials are still examining whether any misdemeanor offenses were committed.

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Michael Avenatti, who is representing Stormy Daniels in her case against President Donald Trump, was arrested on domestic violence charges in Los Angeles.
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Also last month, Avenatti's law firm was evicted after not paying more than $213,000 in rent and he was ordered to pay $4.85 million in back pay to an attorney who worked for his former law firm.

Avenatti had also drawn the ire of some for his role in the contentious confirmation process of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Critics said the decades-old allegations about a gang rape by his client Julie Swetnick cast doubt on other allegations of sexual assault against Kavanaugh.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has asked the FBI to investigate false claims made by Avenatti and Swetnick during Kavanaugh's confirmation process.

The bad news continued for Avenatti last week when Daniels, his star client who was paid $130,000 days before the 2016 election to stay quiet about allegations of an affair with Trump, accused Avenatti of filing a defamation lawsuit against the president and launching a crowdfunding campaign without her permission.

She and Avenatti made peace over the weekend and vowed to continue their work.

He said Tuesday he would continue to represent Daniels in litigation against Trump.

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Attorney Michael Avenatti addresses the media outside the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York on May 30, 2018. Avenatti represents adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. She is suing President Donald Trump and his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, claiming that she was defamed and campaign finance law was violated by brokering a non-disclosure pact just before the 2016 presidential election. Avenatti maintains that the agreement is invalid because Trump did not sign it. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

Adult film actress Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, speaks outside the US Federal Court (right) in New York with her lawyer Michael Avenatti on April 16, 2018. EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ, AFP/Getty Images

Michael Avenatti speaks to the press before he leaves the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Sept. 24, 2018 in Los Angeles. Avenatti claims to have information pertaining to allegations concerning Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Mario Tama, Getty Images

Michael Avenatti drinks a beer at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 9, 2018. Avenatti is planning to speak to the Hamilton County Democrats at their fall fundraiser on Oct. 5. Zach Boyden-Holmes, Des Moines Register via USA TODAY Network

Michael Avenatti responds to a question during a news conference at Battle Born Progress, a non-profit progressive advocacy organization, Aug. 31, 2018 in Las Vegas. Avenatti railed against President Donald Trump's immigration policies and urged a group of progressives in Las Vegas on Friday to turn out voters in the midterm elections. Steve Marcus, Las Vegas Sun via AP

Michael Avenatti (right) has a selfie taken with Mike Munhall of Bennington after speaking at the Hillsborough County Democrats' Summer Picnic fundraiser in Greenfield, N.H., Aug. 19, 2018. Avenatti, the attorney taking on President Donald Trump over his alleged affair with an adult film actress, is exploring a possible 2020 run for president. Cheryl Senter, AP

Michael Avenatti makes a listening gesture during a city-sponsored panel discussion on July 26, 2018 in West Hollywood, Calif. During the discussion, Avenatti announced that he is representing three more women who will come forth to claim they were paid by Donald Trump, AMI Entertainment and Michael Cohen to remain silent. David McNew, Getty Images

Michael Avenatti speaks at a protest outside the White House, Tuesday, July 17, 2018, in Washington. This was the second day in a row the group held a protest following President Donald Trump's meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Andrew Harnik, AP

Michael Avenatti, left, stands with co-counsel Ricardo de Anda as he speaks to reporters during a news conference outside the Cayuga Centers offices on July 11, 2018, in New York City. Avenatti represents two Honduran girls shipped to New York after being separated from their parents at the Mexican border. The girls' parents are being detained in Texas by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Mary Altaffer, AP

Adult film star Stormy Daniels receives a key to the city of West Hollywood from Mayor John Duran (L), May 23, 2018 in West Hollywood, Calif. Daniels' attorney Michael Avenatti is seen at right. The mayor proclaimed "Stormy Daniels Day'' in West Hollywood, recognizing Clifford for "her leadership in the #RESIST movement.'' ROBYN BECK, AFP/Getty Images